NO323755B1 - Embossed absorbent paper with combined monsters - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR95/01681 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 24, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 24, 1997 PCT Filed Dec. 15, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/18771 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 20, 1996A sheet of paper, in particular for a sanitary paper, consists of at least one ply of absorbent, creped paper of a specific surface weight between 12-35 g/m2 evincing first and second protrusions respectively (10, 2) respectively arrayed in a first and second pattern. The first pattern is composed of pattern elements each constituted by at least one of the first protrusions (10) and is comparatively well spaced apart mutually, while the second so-called background pattern comprises the second protrusions (2) arranged in more compact manner between the pattern elements. The sheet of paper is characterized in that the pattern elements form a graphic pattern while being arrayed at a rate of at most 0.5 element/cm2 and the first protrusions (10) constituting them evince at their top a line-shaped surface with a width between 0.1-2 mm, the second protrusions (2) being arrayed at the rate of at least 30, and preferably 40, protrusions/cm2 and ensuring the essential functional features.

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent paper sheets and layered paper sheets for sanitary and home use, and the object is a layered sheet for products such as toilet paper, paper handkerchiefs, paper napkins or paper towels.

The sanitary and home paper industry uses crepe paper, called cellulose cotton or tissue paper, when manufacturing products. This paper's ability to be stretched due to the creping is exploited by embossing it, i.e. by permanently deforming the paper in certain parts, and especially to achieve protrusions on one side of the sheet.

Regarding sanitary products, the tendency in recent years has been to make them softer, more velvety and more appealing, while at the same time maintaining or improving their functional properties, especially thickness and strength. The latter properties can be affected either positively or negatively by the embossing process. Embossing is carried out either on paper with a high moisture content, namely on a partially moist paper machine, or on paper with a low moisture content, namely by transfer to a dry part. The present invention relates to the embossing of paper with a low moisture content.

The most common embossing patterns consist of repeated geometric elements with protrusions with a small cross-section that form simple geometric shapes (FIGURE 1). Such an embodiment is described in US patent no. 3,414,459.

The repetition frequency of the outcrops in this type of pattern can be high, and the density of the elements varies from 5-60 per cm<2> depending on whether it is to be used as a paper towel or toilet paper. The surface of the elementary protrusion tops can be less than 1 mm<2>. Such patterns mainly affect the properties associated with the thickness of the sheet on the one hand and its stiffness and strength on the other. These patterns provide a good balance between the desired property improvements when the semi-finished product is converted into a finished product and during factory processes; in particular, these patterns allow the application of a sufficient embossing intensity.

On the other hand, many studies have shown that these so-called technical patterns are hardly visually appealing to the customer, especially when they are produced with low density. This negative perception is increased by the fact that they are distinctly diffuse, which makes them anonymous.

Solutions to improve the visual effect of these sanitary products without thereby reducing the basic paper properties have already been described.

One solution is to print decorative patterns before or after embossing. This solution has the advantage that it has little impact on the embossing contribution, while increasing the visibility of the product. However, this has the disadvantage of bringing colored and decorated products to the market, while most consumers prefer plain colored products. Furthermore, this solution makes additional equipment necessary, and sometimes reduces the efficiency of the production line.

Another solution in the state of the art is to provide embossing patterns that improve the visual effect, in addition to the main technical patterns. The visual patterns have a much lower repetition frequency than the technical patterns, and the surface of the units is of a much higher order of magnitude. FIGURE 2 shows a relevant example from the description in European Patent No. 265,298 and US Patent No. 4,376,671.

The effect of these patterns on the physical properties of the paper is

small. The stiffness and thickness of the sheet changes little. Their main advantage is the brand, or at least the differentiation potential that is made possible. On the other hand, this main advantage is directly related to the extent to which they are clear or visible.

To achieve the purpose of visual attraction, one can note two previous methods. The first utilizes a high embossing density to ensure a good marking, while the second is limited to patterns that allow a good embossing under the usual process conditions. In the state of the art, these two methods have necessarily been implemented simultaneously.

The more emphasis placed on appearance, the more complex

they become geometric shapes. This fact entails a lower marking strength on the sheet, and the embossing will be less regular. Consequently, the embossing intensity must be increased if the product properties are to be controlled to the desired extent. Therefore, the inherent disadvantages of this type of pattern are amplified in relation to the evenness of the embossing, and thus the sheet's regular behavior both locally and overall. As a result, the appearance of the product deteriorates, and the overall embossing process suffers in terms of dimensional retention, speed and overall efficiency.

This explains the trade-off that must be made for these patterns, between the marking intensity and their application on an industrial scale. This balancing comes at the expense of readability, visibility and the expected improvement in properties that comes with the processing of semi-finished goods into finished goods. In practice, the choice will necessarily be made in favor of the limitations associated with the manufacture of the sanitary product, while the aesthetic considerations must take a back seat.

These patterns can be called "technical-aesthetic", and due to the above-mentioned factors they have a fairly high frequency of repetition and a relatively compact and closed form. They use simple geometric shapes and, where necessary, complex shapes that give an elementary pattern that is repeated endlessly in the longitudinal and transverse directions and whose direction is constant. Regarding a pattern produced according to the description in European Patent No. 265,298, the constant thickness of the lines forming the element contours is striking.

A further solution in the prior art defines in advance a technical pattern, and reserves areas at regular intervals which, as a rule, will assume geometric shapes by omitting notches from this pattern. These areas can then be left as they are, or they can be decorated with an aesthetic pattern. Sometimes a printed pattern is also used, but then at the expense of the visibility and thus the clarity of the visual pattern component.

The purpose of these combinations is to, based on the technical patterns, control the functional factors thickness, strength and softness according to US patent no. 4,320,162. This patent relates to the combination of two patterns with double depth, namely a first pattern with elements that stand at a fairly good distance from each other and have a significant depth, and a second pattern with a shallower depth. In the illustration of this patent, a flower is arbitrarily chosen as the first pattern, while the second pattern is conventionally identified by tendrils. The essential properties described above for the technical-aesthetic patterns, especially the almost constant direction of the primary patterns, are retained in such combinations.

None of these solutions make it possible to fully exploit the potential that aesthetic patterns offer as far as the end consumer is concerned.

It is known that value systems (with positive or negative values) can be controlled by the correct application of forms, movements, directions (such as e.g. logos). Furthermore, many investigations have shown a "glory" phenomenon when a consumer gets a particularly positive impression of a product property and the impression of any weak points is diminished or displaced.

In the state of the art, it has been impossible to make use of such principles when embossing patterns.

The main reason for this is that their essential features of freedom, movement, visibility and legibility are largely incompatible with the limitations resulting from the function and production of sanitary products (thickness, uniform performance of the sheet, appearance of the product, production speed and - efficiency).

This incompatibility becomes more apparent the more these essential features are strengthened, by the high embossing intensity necessary to achieve the minimum requirements of economic feasibility with regard to the poor embossing ability of such free patterns.

The purpose of the invention is to solve this problem.

The paper according to the invention, which is particularly to be used in the production of sanitary paper, is composed of at least one absorbent creped layer of paper with a specific basis weight of 12-35 g/m<2> and showing first and second protrusions which are respectively arranged in a first and second pattern. The first pattern is made up of pattern elements which are relatively far apart and each of which is made up of at least one of the first projections. The second pattern, which is called the background pattern, includes the other projections which are placed closer together between the pattern elements, and this paper according to the invention is characterized by the pattern elements forming a first so-called graphic pattern arranged in a density of a maximum of 0.5 elements/cm< 2>, where the first protrusions constitute the elements whose top forms a linear surface with a width between 0.1 and 2 mm, and the second protrusions are arranged in a density of at least 30/cm<2>, preferably at least 4O/cm< 2> to ensure the basic functional properties associated with embossing.

Thanks to the invention, a combined embossing structure is achieved which offers advantages due to the use of: -a graphic pattern, i.e. the choice of elements is free, without restrictions that will have to increase the thickness or absorption during embossing, and this choice can thus be made with the exclusive aim to achieve that paper

becomes evocative and appealing,

- a background pattern that ensures the technical impact contribution, namely thickness and absorption in particular.

Compared to the embodiment shown in the Figures in US Patent No. 4,376,671, the embossing structure according to the invention provides an appealing textile appearance due to the high density of the projections of the background pattern. The other protrusions are not so easy to see with the naked eye because of their small size and that their top surface is less than 1 mm<2>. Consequently, they provide a contrast to the main pattern. This contrast is due in particular to the high ratio between the surface of a graphic pattern element and the surface of a second projection - and this ratio is in another embodiment of the invention higher than 50, and preferably higher than 100

- as well as their high number per surface unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the graphic pattern elements are placed at a frequency of a maximum of 0.2 elements/cm<2>. This move further increases the contrast.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the width of the linear surface is not uniform for each individual graphic pattern element. In contrast to the case of the technical-aesthetic patterns according to the state of the art, an example of which is shown in FIGURE 2, the invention, which removes the technical pattern limitations, provides a much wider pattern selection and gives access to shapes that appeal to the consumer or provide a higher attraction . The term "linear surface" refers to a surface where the ratio between the length, i.e. the shortest path within the surface between the two points that are furthest apart, and the width, i.e. the average distance between two arbitrary points on either side of this path, exceeds 1. This ratio will usually be high. Accordingly, the width may vary along the said path. The width varies from 0.1 to 2 mm. E.g. when a pattern element is a letter, the width can vary in the same way as the thick and thin calligraphy strokes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second protrusion which is closest to the graphic pattern element is placed at a distance from the element, which is at least equal to the distance between two adjacent elements. In this way, the contrast between the two patterns can be further increased.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the paper sheet can consist of at least two layers, at least one of which is embossed according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first protrusions are on one side of the paper sheet, and the other protrusions are on the other side.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the paper sheet consists of at least two layers, which are embossed together.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to a layered sheet consisting of at least two layers of paper which were embossed separately before being put together. The layered paper sheet according to the invention, which is particularly to be used in the production of sanitary paper, is composed of at least two layers of absorbent creped paper with a specific surface weight of 12-25 g/m<2>. Each layer comprises, on the side facing inwards towards the centre, first and second protrusions which are arranged in a first and second pattern, respectively. The first pattern is made up of pattern elements which are relatively far apart and each of which is made up of the first projections. The second pattern, the so-called background pattern, comprises the first protrusions which are placed closer together between the pattern elements. The layered sheet is characterized by the fact that the pattern elements form a graphic pattern by being placed in a density of a maximum of 0.5 elements/cm<2>. The first protrusions constitute the elements whose top expresses a linear surface with a width between 0.1 and 2 mm, and the second protrusions are arranged in a density of at least 40/cm<2>. More specifically, the ratio of the surface of a pattern element to the surface of a second projection must exceed 50.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the height of the second protrusions differs from the height of the first protrusions, and more precisely it is smaller. The height difference between them should preferably be kept below 0.3 mm. Thanks to this feature, the two sheets can be combined, depending only on the protrusions that extend beyond the protrusions with the smaller height. The supply device for adhesive, which is usually a cylinder mounted parallel to the embossing cylinders, will only touch the protruding parts. This is also the case with atomization. The binding is only carried out at the protruding elements. This reduces the combined adhesive-receiving surface that takes part in the binding of the sheets. As a result, the stiffness caused by this joining is lowered.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the height of the other protrusions is less than 0.5 mm.

Other features and advantages of the invention shall be clarified in more detail in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings. FIGURES 1 and 2 show embossed products with patterns according to the state of the art. FIGURE 3 shows a first embodiment of a pattern according to the present invention.

FIGURE 4 shows a section along the line A-A in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 shows another embodiment of a pattern according to the invention. FIGURE 6 shows schematically embossing equipment which is suitable for the production of a product where the embossing pattern corresponds to the invention. FIGURE 7 shows a third embodiment of a pattern according to the invention. FIGURE 8 shows an enlarged detail of the surface of an embossing cylinder. As mentioned above, FIGURE 1 shows a top view of an absorbent paper, such as a paper towel or toilet paper, which is widely available in commerce. The layers that make up the sheet are connected to each other by protrusions on each layer that face the inside of the sheet. Such a joining is known, e.g. from US Patent No. 3,414,459, for a tip-to-tip joint (the two layers are connected to each other at the tips of their protrusions), or from US Patent No. 3,867,225, for a combination where they are woven into each other and where the protrusions of one layer are placed between the protrusions of the other layer, and the binding is carried out between the tips of the protrusions on one layer and the non-embossed parts of the other layer. In the case of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, these protrusions assume the form of tips of round, oval or polygonal cross-section. The number of outlets per surface unit depends on the desired product thickness. E.g. a paper towel that requires a high absorption can uniformly show 10 protrusions/cm<!>. FIGURE 2 shows an embodiment according to the state of the art, with a technical-aesthetic pattern of the type described in European patent no. 265,298 for a toilet paper marketed by the applicant under the trademark "LOTUS PETITE FLEUR". Each pattern element is a flower, and is delimited by a plurality of elementary protrusions in the form of closed line-shaped embossings. The line thickness is small, namely approx. 1 mm. The two layers are joined with a butt-to-butt joint. Even so, the choice of pattern is quite limited, because a functional role, rather than a purely decorative role, is also desired in these designs, so that the pattern can be intensively embossed to achieve a maximum volume. As described in US Patent No. 4,320,162, lower protrusions between the elementary patterns can also be used to give the sheet a frame and to increase its resistance to crushing. FIGURES 3 and 5 are top views of products according to the invention. The pattern elements 1 of the main graphic pattern consist of elongated first protrusions 10 which are combined with each other to produce with the protrusions 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d a flower in the embodiment of FIGURE 3, and letters in FIGURE 5. Other patterns, such as feathers suggesting softness and flexibility are also possible. These protrusions are between 0.1 and 2 mm wide. This width is not uniform. The width can produce thick and thin lines. Furthermore, the pattern elements point in a different direction than in the extension direction SM. FIGURES 3 and 5 also show that the direction of the pattern elements 1 is different everywhere. By ensuring that these pattern elements are not necessary to give the sheet the desired thickness, a much freer choice of pattern becomes possible. It is sufficient to regulate the pressure applied to the rubber cylinder to carry out the embossing, much lower than the maximum possible pressure when you want to make the sheet thick. Because the sheet is then stretched much less and only subjected to a low mechanical load, it will neither fold nor tear, even when using protrusions whose contour has turning points, and where the distribution of the surfaces that come in

contact with the sheet, is not balanced within the perimeter that delimits the pattern element. Between these relatively widely spaced pattern elements, preferably no more than 1 element/5 cm<2>, the other protrusions 2 appear. The other protrusions show a tip shape, or the shape of truncated cones or pyramids with a height of less than 0.5 mm , and preferably less than 0.1 mm, with a polygonal cross-section, e.g. diamond-shaped, round or elongated in the direction of extraction or across this direction. More precisely, the difference in height between the protrusions 2 and the first protrusions must be at least 0.3 mm. The area of the tips of the protrusions is less than 1 mm<2>. As shown in the figures, the other projections are evenly spaced between

the pattern elements 1. In the example shown, the protrusions are placed in a zigzag pattern behind each other, at a regular distance both in the direction of extension and across this direction. Their high density gives the sheet a textile-like appearance. To achieve this effect, their number must be at least 30, and preferably at least 40/cm<2>; it can especially be higher, e.g. 60-80/cm<2> to strengthen this effect. Furthermore, the ratio between the surface of a pattern element 1 and the surface of a second projection 2 is preferably higher than 50. A higher ratio, e.g. above 100, the contrast improves further. By arranging the other protrusions in such a way that protrusion-free zones 12 are formed between the pattern elements and the background pattern, the contrast is raised and the visual appearance is improved. To create this free zone 12, it is sufficient to eliminate or suppress the protrusions 2 that are directly adjacent to the protrusions 10 of the pattern elements on the embossing cylinders, and this over a distance that at least corresponds to the displacement of the background pattern, measured both in the direction of extraction and across this direction.

FIGURE 7 shows another embodiment of the invention which makes it possible to further improve the visibility and readability of the pattern elements 1. In this embodiment, a number of other protrusions 2, preferably located near the protrusions 10, are placed along line positions 21 which are parallel to the pattern elements 1 outline. The line position 21 means the group of outcrops on this line position 21, where two neighboring outcrops on such a line position 21 are at a distance from each other that is less than the distance that separates them from the other outcrops all around. The distribution of these protrusions differs from the regular distribution of the protrusions in the background pattern, and clarifies the outline of the pattern elements 1 and thus improves their legibility. The distance between two protrusions along these line positions 21 is preferably as small as possible to make them look like practically continuous lines. Because the protrusions are produced by embossing on sewing bobbins equipped with truncated cone needles, the smallest possible distance is the distance separating two adjacent needles when their bases touch each other. These line positions are placed on one or both sides of the protrusions 10. There can be a single line position 21. However, preferably at least two are used. When the pattern element 1 is delimited by a closed line, as shown in FIGURE 7, as many line positions as possible are preferably placed in the delimited area. Each pattern in FIGURE 7 has three line positions 21, 22, 23.

In the case of a creped two-layer sheet where the sheets were embossed separately before being joined together, as shown in FIGURE 4, the first protrusions are preferably higher than the second protrusions. In this way, it becomes possible to easily join the two sheets only at the first protrusions, which are placed in an end-to-end position. A more pliable layered sheet is thus obtained, namely one that is more pleasant to the touch, than a sheet that is joined at most of the protrusions. However, it is also possible to perform a joining between the sheets without the constructions stiffening unnecessarily, by spraying a small amount of adhesive on one of the layers. In this case, it is not necessary that the first protrusions are twice as high as the second protrusions, and that each layer should have a specific basis weight of 12-25 g/m<2>.

The invention also relates to a sheet with one layer or with several layers which are embossed together to e.g. obtain the appearance shown in FIGURE 3, the cross-section of which, however, exhibits only one of the layers in FIGURE 4.

In the following, equipment which is known per se and which makes it possible to produce the creped product according to the invention will be described. FIGURE 6 shows a first pair of cylinders 101, 103 comprising an engraved metal cylinder 101, on the surface of which raised elements have been implanted, the shape of which corresponds to the desired embossing. The metal cylinder is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis, and combines with a parallel rubber cylinder 103 which opposes the metal cylinder to form a pressure gap 101, 103. When a crimped absorbent paper sheet, such as cellulose cotton or tissue paper, passes through this gap, it suffers permanent deformation due to the pressure applied by the rubber cylinder on the paper resting on the raised elements of the rigid cylinder. The paper then assumes this form. Depending on the intensity of the embossing, the paper takes up more or less of the distance between the raised elements.

In order to carry out the desired embossing, the raised elements are distributed according to two patterns: a first pattern with the first protrusions which in and of themselves define the pattern elements 1, and a second pattern with the other protrusions.

The equipment comprises a second pair of embossing cylinders, namely a metal cylinder 105 with the same diameter as cylinder 101, which rotates in the same horizontal plane as cylinder 101 and interacts with a rubber cylinder 107 to perform the embossing.

Between them, the cylinders 101 and 105 define a pressure gap 101-105, and they are driven at synchronous but opposite rotation speed to roll against each other without slipping.

The equipment also includes a supply system for adhesive 110 with a supply cylinder 111 made of rubber or another equivalent material, which rests against the cylinder 101 upstream from the pressure gap 101-105. A transport cylinder 113 moves the adhesive from a dipping cylinder 115 to the supply cylinder 111. The dipping cylinder 115 moves the adhesive from a vessel not shown.

The paper sheets to be joined are fed from spools 21, 22. The sheet 1 is fed around the rubber cylinder 103 and moves into the gap 101-103, from which it is fed out in embossed form after enclosing the raised surface of the metal cylinder 101. The feed cylinder 111 supplies the adhesive in measured quantities on the surface of the flat-tipped protrusions in the sheet.

The second sheet 2 undergoes a similar treatment by passing through the gap 105-107, and is then joined with the sheet 1 in the gap 101-105. The resulting laminated sheet is then converted into a finished product.

In the case of a single-layer sheet or of a sheet with several layers which were embossed together, naturally only one pair of cylinders 101, 103 is used.

FIGURE 8 shows a part of the surface of one of the embossing cylinders 101 or 105 with raised first elements 150. These elements are elongated. The elements have a flat tip, the width of which varies along the element. The width is a minimum of 0.1 mm and a maximum of 2 mm. On the other hand, the height from the bottom of the engraving is essentially constant. Other raised elements 152 which assume the shape of a truncated cone or pyramid with a flat top in the form of a small circle of 1 mm<2>, are placed on either side of the elements 150. The tips of the elements 150 are lower. The height difference between the elements is approx. 0.3 mm. On one side of the first protrusions 150, other raised elements 152 are placed along line positions 161 which are parallel to the curvature of the element 150. The distance between the line position 161 of the element 150 is dependent on the average width of the element 150.

During embossing, the cellulose cotton sheet is pressed by a cylinder with a deformable coating, such as rubber, against these raised elements, whose shape it assumes. Because the combined pattern engraving is shallow, and because there is a background pattern, the sheet is spared unnecessary tension in connection with the graphic pattern.

Claims (15)

1. Paper sheets, especially for use as sanitary paper, composed of at least one layer of creped absorbent paper with a specific surface weight of 12-35 g/m<2> and showing first and second protrusions (10, 2) which are respectively arranged in a first and second pattern, where the first pattern consists of pattern elements (1) that stand at a significant distance from each other and each of which consists of at least one of the first protrusions (10), where the second pattern, the so-called background pattern, includes the other protrusions (2) which are placed closer together between the pattern elements (1), characterized in that the pattern elements (1) form a so-called graphic pattern arranged in a density of a maximum of 0.5 elements/cm<2>, where the first protrusions (10) constitute the elements whose top expresses a linear surface with a width between 0.1 and 2 mm, and the other protrusions (2) are arranged in a density of rainst 30, preferably at least 40 protrusions/cm<2> and essentially ensure the basic functional properties. 2. Sheet of paper according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio between the surface of a pattern element (1) and the surface of a second protrusion (2) is over 50. 3. Sheet of paper according to claim 2, characterized in that the ratio exceeds 100. 4. Sheet of paper according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the pattern elements (1) are distributed in a number of a maximum of 0.2 elements/cm<2>. 5. Paper sheet according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the width of the linear surface varies along a pattern element (1). 6. Paper sheet according to one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the distance from a second protrusion (2) to a first protrusion (10) of a pattern element (1) is at least as large as the distance between two other protrusions (2) on the side of the second pattern. 7. Sheet of paper according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one of the other protrusions (2) which is placed close to a first protrusion (1) must be placed along at least one line position (21) which is parallel to the latter (10) ). 8. Sheet of paper according to claim 7, whose pattern elements (1) delimit closed surfaces, characterized in that the line position (21) is placed within the pattern element. 9. Paper sheet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first projections (10) are present on one side of the sheet, and the second projections (2) are present on the other side. 10. Layered paper sheet, especially for use as sanitary paper, consisting of at least two layers of absorbent creped paper (3, 4) with a specific basis weight from 12-25 g/m<2> and on the side facing inwards towards the center of the sheet, comprising first and second protrusions (10, 2} which are arranged respectively in a first and second pattern, where the first pattern is made up of pattern elements (1) which are each made up of the first protrusions (10) and which are relatively far apart , and the second pattern, the so-called background pattern, comprises the other protrusions (2) which are placed closer together between the pattern elements (1), characterized in that at least one of the layers is a sheet of paper as stated in one of the claims 1-9 . 11. Layered paper sheet according to claim 10, characterized in that the height of the second protrusions (2) differs from the height of the first protrusions (10), and their height difference is preferably at least 0.3 mm. 12. Layered paper sheet according to claim 11, characterized in that the height of the second protrusions (2) is smaller than the height of the first protrusions (10). 13. Layered paper sheet according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the two layers (3 and 4) are joined by gluing the tops of the first protrusions (10). 14. Layered paper sheet according to one of claims 10-13, characterized in that the height of the other protrusions is less than 0.5 mm. 15. Laminated paper sheet, in particular for use as sanitary paper, consisting of at least two layers of absorbent creped paper with a specific basis weight of 12-25 g/m<2> placed on top of each other, and on the side facing inwards towards the center of the sheet , comprising first and second protrusions which are arranged in a first and second pattern, respectively, where the first pattern consists of pattern elements which are each made up of the first protrusions and which are relatively far apart, and the second pattern, the so-called background pattern, comprises the other protrusions which are placed closer together between the pattern elements, characterized in that the pattern elements form a so-called graphic pattern and are distributed over the surface of the sheets in a density of a maximum of 0.5 elements/cm<2>, where the first protrusions constitute the elements whose top expresses a linear surface with a width between 0.1 and 2 mm, and the other protrusions are arranged in a density of at least 30, preferably at least 40 protrusions/cm<2 >and essentially ensures d e functional properties.